DoD seeks ideas on mobile phones of the future

By Adam Mazmanian

Jul 07, 2014

What: The Mobility Program Office of the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) is looking for a hardware upgrade.

Why: Until recently, the government was able to drive the market for secure telecommunications, according to DISA. But now mobility is advancing faster than government procurement cycles. As a result, "DoD is challenged in its ability to deliver mission-focused, secure, mobile solutions to its users," according to a request for information. DISA is looking to update its acquisitions processes, and in the meantime look to industry for help in developing a device that can meet the security demands of storing and transmitting classified data and work across the networks of multiple providers.

DISA isn't asking for much. Just a U.S.-based vendor that can supply an NSA-compliant device with a 12-24 hour battery life, compatibility with multiple commercial networks and the ability to integrate with a planned DISA app store that will act as a repository for developing, testing and hosting classified apps used by Defense agencies.

The related DISA app store RFI asks vendors to probe the challenges of attracting developers to build and maintain mobile applications for DoD, given the military's high-security requirements. Some specific hurdles include the problem of integrating apps with both DoD and commercial systems, hosting apps in a secure environment, and developing apps across the Microsoft, Apple, Android and Blackberry operating systems. Additionally, according to answers to vendor questions published July 3, DISA CTO Dave Mihelcic is researching a desktop replacement Windows tablet that would support email, chat and other applications. DISA also noted in its responses to vendors that while no DISA customer has asked for HTML 5 application support, they anticipate this becoming a requirement in the future.

About the Author

Adam Mazmanian is FCW's senior staff writer, and covers Congress, health IT and governmentwide IT policy. Connect with him on Twitter: @thisismaz.